By David Milliken
LONDON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - The United Kingdom said on
Saturday that talks with the European Union over post-Brexit
trade rules for Northern Ireland had been constructive, but
substantial differences remained.
Goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland currently
face customs checks, as part of a deal reached before Brexit to
avoid more contentious border checks between Northern Ireland,
which is part of the United Kingdom, and EU member Ireland.
However, Britain and the EU disagree over how to implement
customs and safety checks, which fall especially heavily on
meat, dairy and medical products. Britain also objects to the
role played by the EU's supreme court in policing the deal.
"The talks this week were constructive and we've heard some
things from the EU that we can work with - but the reality is
that we are still far apart on the big issues, especially
governance," Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said in a
statement released late on Saturday.
"Whether we're able to establish that momentum soon will
help us determine if we can bridge the gap or if we need to use
Article 16," the statement added, referring to the possibility
of taking unilateral action to ease trade flows.
Britain said talks with EU negotiators would move to London
from Brussels next week, and that its Brexit minister David
Frost would meet European Commission Vice President Maros
Sefcovic at the end of the week.
Ireland's European Affairs minister Thomas Byrne said on
Thursday that the dispute could be resolved within weeks.
The EU made detailed proposals to ease the transit of goods
on Oct. 13, but is unwilling to give up the role of the European
Court of Justice.
(Reporting by David Milliken; Editing by Mike Harrison)